Modifying Nikon PC 24mm lens

As I mentioned in my last post, I bought an Nikon PC 24mm lens. This lens allows movements of shift and tilt; however, Nikon PC lenses have a problem especially for landscape photographers. When I shift a lens vertically, the lens can tilt only horizontally.

Landscape photographers use tilt and shift lens to avoid conversing lines which is seen when a camera is pointed up. Also landscape photographers like hyperfocal distance, images on focus from foreground to infinity. Tilt allows increasing the depth of field without closing down aperture. So it is more practical to set the movement of tilt and shift on the same axis.

So I had to modify the lens. Here is steps

1) Unscrew four screws on top of squire block of the lens. Micro screw did not work because screws were quite tight. I bought a screwdriver with large grip.

2) Lift the top CAREFULLY since the top and lens body are connected with electronic cables.

3) Rotate the top 90 degrees clockwise and screw the four screws back.

4) Movements of the shift and tilt are the same axis.

I you want to try, please do it at your own risk.

 

 

Playing with reflections of lights – Nikon PC 24mm

At the end of August, I visited “Forget me not pond” in Kananaskis Country in Alberta with some PPOC members. The pond is basically for family activities and nothing like “landscape photography spot” photographers imagine. Also It was around 2 pm; the sun was way high up. Possibly, at this time of the day, I would take a nap in my car. But I am photographic artist of year of PPOC national competition. I should be able to come out some images.

First thing my eyes caught was shining reflection of sun light on wavy surface of the pond. I was playing “out of focus”. I shot the reflection as out-of-focus, and creating rings of light in frames. Then I remember one of the purpose of this visit was testing my new gear, Nikon PC 24mm lens. At this point, I did not care about typical landscape photography. I wanted to do something with the shining and moving reflection of the light.

So when using a tilt and shift lens like my new gear NIkon PC 24m, one of the purpose is obtaining hyperfocal focusing, technique to focus from foreground to infinity. But in this case, I wanted mountains and clouds to be on-focus, and foreground to be out-of-focus to get large bokeh of light ring. I could achieve it by tilting the lens to opposite direction from when we tilt for getting hyper focal focusing.

Regardless this is a good or just okay image, I could get the photo I imagined. So this shot is considered to be successful. The image I saw the was lights fallen from the heaven like falling leaves. So this image was titled “Falling lights”

You can try out Nikon PC 24mm lens and more lenses including Canon lenses in my fall workshop in Kootenay plains in Canadian Rockies. Please register from my website before sold out.